Ethnic groups in London

A pie chart showing the ethnic composition of London in 2007

London, England, United Kingdom, population 7,556,900 in 2007 claims to be one of the most ethnically diverse cities on earth, with over 300 languages spoken in it and more than 50 non-indigenous communities which have a population of more than 10,000. According to 2007 estimates, 31.0 per cent of London's population is from an ethnic minority (defined as non-white) and 42.3 per cent belong to groups other than white British.

Ethnic breakdown

2001 Census Ethnic Group  % of London's population White 71.1 White British 59.8 White Irish 3.1 Other White 8.3 Mixed 3.2 White and Black Caribbean 1.0 White and Black African 0.5 White and South Asian 0.8 Other Mixed 0.9 South Asian 12.1 Indian 6.1 Pakistani 2.0 Bangladeshi 2.2 Other South Asian 1.9 Black 10.9 Black Caribbean 4.8 Black African 5.3 Other Black 0.8 East Asian or Other 2.7 Chinese 1.1 Other 1.6 Total population 7,172,091

2007 Estimates Ethnic Group  % of London's population White 69.1 White British 57.7 White Irish 2.4 Other White 8.9 Mixed 3.5 White and Black Caribbean 1.0 White and Black African 0.5 White and South Asian 1.0 Other Mixed 1.0 South Asian 13.3 Indian 6.6 Pakistani 2.4 Bangladeshi 2.3 Other South Asian 2.0 Black 10.6 Black Caribbean 4.3 Black African 5.5 Other Black 0.8 East Asian or Other 3.5 Chinese 1.5 Other 2.0 Total population 7,556,900

Significant ethnic minority communities

Bangladeshis

Main article: British Bangladeshi

Bengali seaman have settled in London since the 19th century. A major wave of immigration began in the 1970s, as people from the Sylhet Division arrived in London; fleeing poverty and the Bangladesh Liberation War. Many settled around Brick Lane, where they entered the textile trade. This trade has declined causing unemployment, but the community has moved into other businesses, including restaurants and banking. The level of immigration peaked in 1986, and has entered a decline with the introduction of harsher immigration laws.

The community remains concentrated around Bethnal Green and Whitechapel; and has spread into other east London boroughs. London as a city is home to the single largest number of people of Bangladesi origin outside of Bangladesh, with close to 200,000 individuals being of full Bangladeshi origin in 2007.

Chinese

Further information: British Chinese and Chinatown, London

Chinese people constitute the fourth largest Asian group in London (behind the Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis respectively), numbering 114,800 in 2007 they are spread more or less across the entire city and have become successful in British life, especially when it comes to cuisine. There is a long and complex history of the Chinese in London, with the first Chinese people arriving in the city in the 19th century as sailors. See here for more information.

Ghanaians

Main article: Ghanaian British

Besides Nigerians, Ghanaians are the largest Black African group in London, with the majority being situated in the boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Newham, Hackney, Haringey, Lewisham, Merton, Croydon, Enfield and Brent.

Greeks

Main article: Greek British

According to "History of London's Greek community" by Jonathan Harris, the Greek population of London numbered several thousand by 1870 AD whereas in 1850 AD it numbered just a few hundred. The 2001 Census recorded 12,360 Greek-born people living in London, with particular concentrations in the Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Chelsea and Kensington Census tracts.

The Census tracts with the highest number of Cypriot-born people in 2001 were Palmers Green, Upper Edmonton, Cockfosters, Lower Edmonton, Tottenham North and Tottenham South. Many Greek-Cypriots reside in Wood Green, Green Lanes and Palmers Green, the latter habouring the largest community of Greek-Cypriots outside Cyprus, resulting in these areas bearing local nicknames whereby the Green is replaced by Greek – as in Greek Lanes and Palmers Greek.

According to a City of London Corporation sponsored report, there are between 28,600 and 31,000 Greek speakers in Greater London.

Indians

Main articles: British Indian and Indian community of London

British Indians have long been one of London's largest ethnic minority groups and in 2007 over 500,000 Indians were residing in London (this excludes people of half or less Indian origin). Around 7% of London's population is of Indian origin. Indians have existed in the British capital for generations and come from all walks of life.

Irish

Main article: Irish migration to Great Britain

Irish migration to Great Britain has a lengthy history due to the close proximity of, and complex relationship between, the islands of Ireland and Great Britain and the various political entities that have ruled them. Today, millions of residents of Great Britain are either from the island of Ireland or have Irish ancestry. Around six million Britons have an Irish grandfather or grandmother (approximately 10% of the UK population). 900,000 ethnic Irish people live in the capital (12% of city's population), despite this, some sources put the population of people of Irish descent in London at 77% (some 5 and a half million people), although the White British and White Irish populations combined are less than this.

Jamaicans

Main article: Jamaican British

There are records to show of Black people, predominantly from Jamaica living in London during the 17th and 18th centuries; but it was not until the arrival of the Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948 which saw significant numbers of Caribbeans, in particular Jamaicans, arrive in the capital. This has since become an important landmark in the history of modern multicultural Britain. During the post World War II era the presence of these immigrants was requested to help reconstruct the British economy. Industries such as British Rail, the NHS and London transport recruited almost exclusively from Jamaica. Some 250,000 Londoners are of Jamaican origin.

Nigerians

Main article: Nigerian British

London (in particular the Southern Boroughs) is home to the largest Nigerian community in the UK, and possibly the largest overseas Nigerian community in the world. The first Nigerians in London were those caught up in the slave trade over 200 years ago.

In the mid-20th century a wave of Nigerian immigrants came to London after hearing of the need for more skilled workers. Civil and political unrest in the country contributed to numerous refugees' arriving in England. The vast majority of famous and notable British people of Nigerian origin were either born in or now live in London.

Peckham (also known as Little Lagos and Yorubatown) is home to one of the largest overseas Nigerian communities in the world; many of the local establishments are Yoruba owned. Nigerian churches and mosques can be found in the area. As immigrants become assimilated, English is becoming the predominant language of the local Nigerian British population. The Yoruba language is declining in use in the Peckham area despite the increasing Nigerian population. In 2001, about 7 percent of Peckham's population was born in Nigeria. A much larger proportion of the ward's 60% Black population is of Nigerian descent, as 40% are Black African.

Pakistanis

Main articles: Pakistani community of London and British Pakistani

Turkish

Main articles: Turkish community of London and British Turks

Gallery

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  London's Irish community celebrating Saint Patrick's Day.

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  Chinatown, London during Chinese new year.

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  London Turks protesting.

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  London Bengalis at Baishakhi Mela.

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  Kittitian and Nevisian street dancers at the Notting Hill Carnival.

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  London Iraqis celebrating 2007 AFC Asian Cup victory for Iraq.

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  Large numbers of Colombians live in London.

External links

• Ethnicity Profiles: London by the Commission for Racial Equality